Jeffrey W. Matthews, Ph.D.

Dr. Jeffrey W. Matthews is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, specializing in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES). His research focuses on plant communities within natural and restored ecosystems, aiming to understand the drivers of change that impact plant conservation and restoration efforts. Dr. Matthews teaches a variety of courses, including plant ecology, plant identification, and wetland ecology and management, contributing to the education of future environmental scientists.With a robust academic background, including a Ph.D. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois, Dr. Matthews combines his extensive knowledge with practical research to address ecological challenges. His course "Discovering the Basics of Wetlands" is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of wetland ecosystems, highlighting their importance in environmental health and biodiversity conservation.